Nevada County picayune., 1887-03-09

M MuiucI! dt tHG top oi Hct NOICc.
 The scuffiing in the hall cOntinu- ed for short time, then another pistol shot was heard. and theh all was still.
 Presently a light knock sounded on Aunt Catherine's door, and a low, firm voice called: Mrs. Biakew
 Murder! murder!" shriekcd Aunt Catharine, but Dolly clasped her hands over her mouth.
 4 "Who is itw she asked. reassur- ed by the tones of the strangers voice. 4ir.a
 "A friend" was the response. Have no fears, ladies. The rob. bers are captured, and the danger is all over" Hastily drawing shawl over her aunt's shoulders, Dolly, with Susan at her heels, suspiciously clutching the shot gun opened the door, Has
 X tall figure stood there-the figure of tine lone woman who had sought shelter the evening before. But the skirt and shawl, and the slOucl,y sun-bonnet were throw n aside, showing tall muscular looking man, clad in his own prop CT habilaments.
 i, The disguised tones were gone, too, and the stranger in reassur- ing voice, explained the mystery Susan in the meantime, clinging bravely to her gun, and eyeing him apprehensively.
 q am a detective, Miss Blake," he announced. addressing Dolly, and have been on the track of these burglars for some time. Hearing i they intended to attack your house tonight, adopted the plan of disgusting myself as woman in case they should, be on the watch, and thus securing position in the house. l was anxious to capt ure them both. yon see, and have
 q done so. They are bound and handcuffed in the hall below, and with your permission l will remain here with them until daylight, as l have given orders for a boy to meet me here with a wagon, at that time.
 Of course the permission was granted.
 But the pistol shotsW asked Dolly. "Was no one hurt?" | 70, the fellows fired at me once or twice before had captured them," returned the detective, cOolly, "but no great harm was done. I believe they hit me once in the arn', but it was only d flesh wound"
 But though only flesh wound it began to grow painful, and Dol ly insisted on binding it up, and applying such remedies as the iarm house afforded.
 1 Aunt Catbarine recovered from her terror, while Dolly and Susan, too much excited to think of fur. ther rest, flew. around and got breakfast ready, which they in. sisted upon sharing with the stran. ger who had so bravely protected them 'a !. And before he left the farm. house with his prisoners, detect. i've Lawrence Stoddard had re- ceived a wound in his heart more serious than the one in his arm.
 And it was Dolly Blake's bright eyes, blooming cheeks, and tender touch, as she bound up his arm, that had done the mischief.
 Hello! And so, after capturing the burglars, Mir. Lawrence Stod- dard has been trying to capture my neicc, heyi" said Uncle John, a few months later, with a mischicv. ous look at his neice. We'll, Dol ly, since owe him something tor his exertions on that occassion, reckon I'll have to let him have you. But it's on one condition, mind. He must go out of the de. | tective business altogether. It's too risky, and besides, l don't want you left a young widow ol' my hands.'
 Of course the condition was accepted. and shortly Dolly and her husband went to house-keep, ing on d snug farm adjoining Uncle Johns.
 As for the plucky and valiant Susan. she married Rob. the hired